Pedagogy

How might creative institutions begin to address issues of pressing social, environmental and economic need? And, what does it mean for students of creative disciplines to engage in the “real world”?

ENGAGE at CCA provides a working model for schools of art and design contending with two timely and salient questions: how might creative institutions begin to address issues of pressing social, environmental and economic need? And, what does it mean for students of creative disciplines to engage in the “real world”? Housed within the Center for Art and Public Life at California College of the Arts, ENGAGE at CCA connects faculty and students with community partners through semester-long projects that focus on specific needs defined by, or identified in collaboration with, their partner. This paper offers reflection on how ENGAGE responds to these questions through the process of early course development and the positive impact that process endeavors to have on students’ sense of creative and personal agency.

Chapter written by Megan Clark, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and ENGAGE at CCA

Architecture Live Projects provides a persuasive, evidence-based advocacy for moving a particular kind of architectural learning, known as Live Projects, towards a holistic integration into current and future architectural curricula. Live Projects are work completed in the borderlands between architectural education and built environment practice; they include design/build work, community-based design, urban advocacy consulting and a host of other forms and models described by the book’s international group of authors. This collection of essays and case studies consolidates current discussions on theory and learning ambitions, academic best practices, negotiation with licensure and accreditation, and considerations of architectural integrity.